Letters to the Editor: 8/17

Rate hike vote was an affront to all involved

On Aug. 7, the Town of Fishkill held a public hearing on a proposed 135 percent rate increase for those residing in the Dutchess Park Sewer District. There were numerous comments made by the residents that apparently fell on the deaf ears of town Supervisor Robert LaColla and several of the town council members.

The deficit was known for a very long time, the time frame for starting the repayment of the monies owed the City of Beacon was in negotiations for months and then at the last minute a public meeting was held and a vote taken the very same night!

Two of the town council members wanted additional time to review the facts and take comments made by the residents into consideration. There was some additional discussion by the town council and it appeared that a decision to postpone the vote was reached.

Most of the audience had already left when all of a sudden, to the shock of those still remaining, there was a call for a vote on the rate increase! It passed with one abstention.

I, as well as others, am outraged not only by the 135 percent increase but by how the vote was orchestrated.

This vote was not only an affront to every resident that attended the meeting but also to the councilmen who wanted time to review and were pressured into voting.

In my opinion, the vote on such an important matter did not follow proper protocol.

Jacqueline Vogle

Fishkill

Randall Johnson is a role model for young people

It is very refreshing to see someone who is both young and intelligent running for the 7th Ward City Council of Poughkeepsie.

Randall Johnson II and I have known each other since the seventh grade where we both attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic School and have remained close friends ever since.

Randall Johnson II has always been very dedicated, loyal and honest in whatever he puts his mind to. Even in the seventh grade, Randall was very dedicated and serious about his schoolwork and he was especially bright in mathematics.

I am fully confident that he will make a great role model for all young men and women in Poughkeepsie.

Hopefully, this will inspire many college students like myself to take an interest in politics within their community - whether it is for the school board or city council.

Best wishes and good luck to you, Randall Johnson II, for stepping up and getting involved to help improve our youth, seniors and the working families!

Alexandra Willis

Poughkeepsie

Abandoned gas station sends negative message

As a resident and taxpayer of the Town of LaGrange, I am writing to make inquiry as to the current status of a former service station on Route 55. For many months now I have had occasion to drive past what appears to be an abandoned gas station.

For a person entering our town for the first time this setting sends nothing but negative statements regarding LaGrange.

While those of us who live here and pay our ever-increasing taxes strive to continue to improve the image of our town by maintaining and upgrading our properties, this derelict parcel continues to decay without so much as an attempt to maintain the landscape, let alone the buildings thereon.

This is "the front door" to our "home" and as such makes the first impression.

e must remember that we only have one chance to make a first impression and must take appropriate action.

Linda Sieban

Pleasant Valley

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Letters to the Editor: 8/17

On Aug. 7, the Town of Fishkill held a public hearing on a proposed 135 percent rate increase for those residing in the Dutchess Park Sewer District.